Sand Cat Adults

Mortality in the wild is suspected to be mostly by raptors as there are few other mammal predators in their desert habitat. Starvation can occur during extended winters in the central Asian desert when prey numbers remain low.

The lifespan of Sand Cats in the wild is not known, but cats in captivity have survived up to fourteen years.

Sand Cat Facts

SCIENTIFIC NAME Felis margarita

NAME ORIGIN The Sand Cat was discovered in 1858 and was named after the French expedition leader General Margueritte. The other common name is the 'sand dune cat'.